PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective July 1, 2013. The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and granted a TDIU from July 1, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of PTSD and service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for further development regarding the nature and etiology of his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for PTSD was granted due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, service connection itself remains denied as the in-service stressors cannot be verified.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for bipolar disorder with PTSD was denied. The appeal is not about service connection, so there is no discussion of exposure basis or presumption. Service connection for bipolar disorder was initially granted and later confirmed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete records, particularly regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD caused or aggravated his OSA.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to military service, particularly the alleged sexual assault.

The DIC claim is denied as the Veteran was not continuously rated totally disabled for the 10 years immediately preceding death. The cause of death remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between service-connected conditions and the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation due to its current severity.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the claims for lung cancer and PTSD due to potential combat exposure in Vietnam. Additional efforts are needed to verify the Veteran's reported reassignment and location of his unit between March 1969 and March 1970.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to January 22, 2016 for a 100 percent rating for PTSD. The evidence showed that the Veteran had occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas due to his PTSD, but not total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's reported in-service stressors are supported by evidence and there is a positive nexus between his current diagnoses and his service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus is granted. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left ankle disability and an initial rating greater than 50 percent for PTSD. The effective date of service connection for PTSD was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination and further development of evidence related to the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression.

The Board has determined that new evidence has been received and is requesting the RO to review whether this evidence is sufficient to reopen a claim for PTSD.

The Veteran's attorney has withdrawn the appeal regarding past due benefits for attorney fees, leaving no issues to be decided by the Board.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 0 percent, eczema of the hands is rated at 0 percent, and PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective April 2, 2013. The Veteran does not have a service connection theory related to exposure basis or the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for further development regarding potential herbicide exposure in the Philippines, which could affect service connection claims.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for the Veteran's PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.